D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 The Vine Blog WHAT EXACTLY IS EGGNOG? That often borders on “milknog” or Many of us look forward to the holiday season when egg flavoring. This kid friendly we see the cartons of eggnog line the shelves at our version is also missing a key local grocery store. While some smile with delight, ingredient; alcohol. Adult eggnog is a others turn up their nose. But what is this drink with very popular drink of choice this time the funny name and where did it come from? Some of the year. Lucky for you there are say “nog” comes from “noggin,” meaning a wooden some excellent choices available. cup, or “grog,” a strong beer. By the late 18th century, the combined term “eggnog” stuck. We sell eggnog from Pennsylvania Dutch and Evan Williams. They taste How did humans first think chugging a spiced and amazing chilled, or over ice, in your spiked egg-yolk-and-milk mixture was a good idea? coffee and over ice cream. Tasting Yet despite its “love it or hate it” fame, eggnog has notes are bourbon, nutmeg, cream charmed drinkers for nearly a millennium. and vanilla. New this year: Three Olives Eggnog Vodka! Most culinary historians agree eggnog originated from the early medieval Britain “posset,” a hot, milky, ale-like drink. By the 13th century, monks were known to drink a posset with eggs and figs. Milk, eggs, and sherry were foods of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health. Eggnog became part of the holidays when the drink came to America in the 1700s. American colonies were full of farms—and chickens and cows—and cheaper rum, a soon-signature ingredient. You may be on team hate eggnog if you haven’t ever tasted it made from scratch. Sugar-laced supermarket versions can’t hold a candle to the homemade goodness, especially since the US Food and Drug Administration permits that the drink can be made from as little as 1% egg yolk. .